We use a bit of ham in the beans to add to flavor... the rest in the salad on Day 3. The salmon is easy, the couscous is quick so it's a minimum fuss summer dinner.

Marinated Salmon with Brown Sugar Yogurt Sauce

Total time: 20 minutesThe salmon, marinated in an herbal bath for 15 minutes, is cooked on the barbecue grill or baked and served with a cold, hot-sweet sauce.

Ingredients:

2 salmon fillets, 12oz total (360gr each)

Marinade:

2/3 cup (5oz, 150ml) white wine

2 cloves garlic

1 tbs lemon juice

1 tbs fresh parsley substitute dried

2 tsp tarragon substitute dried

Brown Sugar Yogurt Sauce:

1/3 cup (3oz, 90gr) Greek yogurt

2 tbs Dijon-style mustard

2 tsp brown sugar

Instructions:

Mince garlic.

In a flat dish, just large enough for the salmon, mix wine, garlic, lemon, herbs. Add salmon, turning once to coat, and allow to marinate for 15 - 25 minutes.

Put salmon in a grill basket if using barbecue grill or on mesh grill pan if you don't have a basket.

Grill for 10 - 12 minutes, skin-side down, with the grill cover closed. Be careful not to overcook.

OR put on baking sheet and roast in 400 F oven for 15 - 18 minutes, depending on thickness.

In both case salmon will be done when it flakes easily, slightly pink in the center is fine.

Sauce:

In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, mustard and sugar. Set aside.

To serve:

Slide the salmon off the skin if needed and place on plates.

Spoon some sauce on the side and serve.

Couscous Pilaf

Total time: 15 minutes You can leave the celery, onion and carrot raw for this pilaf, but I prefer it to be lightly sautéed. You could also put it with the couscous before adding the hot stock.... I like the flavor of sautéed.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (3oz, 90gr) couscous

3/4 cup (6oz, 180ml) chicken broth

1 carrot

1 rib celery

1/4 cup chopped sweet or red onion

4 cherry tomatoes

1 tbs snipped chives

2 tsp good olive oil

Instructions

Heat chicken broth to boiling.

Put couscous in a medium bowl.

When broth is boiling pour over couscous, cover and let stand for 10 minutes... Do not stir it.

When couscous is ready, uncover, add vegetables, tomatoes, chives, fluff gently with a fork to combine and serve.

Green Beans with Sautéed Celery

Total time: 20 minutesGreen beans, cooked quickly, then tossed with sautéed celery and a bit of ham or bacon for flavor, something a little different from our summer bounty. Blanching them first helps retain their bright color.

Ingredients:

6oz (180gr) green beans

1oz (30gr) baked ham or Prosciutto

1 - 2 ribs celery, (about 1/2 cup sliced)

1 tbs olive oil

1 1/2 tbs white balsamic vinegar

1 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp brown sugar substitute honey

1/4 tsp dry mustard

2 tbs snipped fresh chives

Instructions:

Top and tail beans... cut off the ends. Cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths (4cm).